One of the benefits of living in the capital city of a developing country is that we have access to the opera and the ballet at very low prices. Whereas we might have to pay $50 per ticket and drive several hours to expose our children to such culture in the States, here in Mongolia we can make these fine art outings on a regular basis.

This month, the Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, a Russian troupe made up of 186 dancers, singers, musicians and stage crew, are presenting several children's performances for about $6 per ticket. Yesterday I took our girls, ages nine and five, to see the ballet Buratino (Pinocchio). The dancing was top rate, the costumes and set beautiful, and the special effects (fog and glow in the dark costumes) especially entertaining for the kids.

Next week we plan to take a group of Girl Scouts (yes, we have a troop even here!) to see The Adventures of Dorothy in the Emerald City.

So now that I've wowed you with our cultural offerings here in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, let me add a little caveat. It's not all as glamorous as it sounds. In this country it is not rude to talk during performances. One does not wear furs and formal wear to performances. And, no, it is not looked down upon to bring children to the theater, even to evening events.

The first time I went to the ballet here, it was in 2000, and I brought my three-year-old to see a special children's showing of The Nutcracker. This is, I've since learned, an annual event for Mongolian children. That year, they were handing out goody bags to all the children at the start of the show, complete with "juice" boxes, candy bars, and potato chips.

Well, you can imagine what an entire theater of unruly, unparented children whooped up on junk food must be like. Indulge me, anyway, while I paint a picture for you. Throughout the show, there was loud talking, giggling, throwing of empty packages, and bouncing in chairs. I was, to say the least, appalled. The organizers did seem to learn their lesson, however, because in subsequent years the goody bags were handed out after the show.

On a more positive note, this (ahem) relaxed atmosphere makes for some really creative and fun ideas, too. Last year I took Kalli to see the opera Carmen. During intermission, in the lobby, there were several art projects going on. They had provided paper and crayons for audience members to draw their impressions, and best of all, an easel with a drawing on canvas of Carmen herself, several paintbrushes, and oil paints. Guests were invited to add to the painting as desired.

Tonight is a showing of Romeo & Juliet. Since we just read a children's version of the story and watched the movie, it will be the perfect conclusion to a rich homeschooling lesson!